How to Prevent Motion Sickness in Toddlers

Motion sickness occurs in toddlers when their brains receive conflicting messages from 2 or more parts of their body that detect motion; such as from their ears, eyes, joints, or nerves. For example, if your toddler is reading a book while in a moving car, their brain can indicate that they should be sitting still and not be in a moving vehicle, causing them to experience motion sickness. When your toddler experiences motion sickness, they may become nauseous, dizzy, fatigued, or suffer from other uncomfortable symptoms. Although it is common for toddlers to suffer from motion sickness, especially if traveling is a new experience for them, there are a variety of ways you can prevent the onslaught of motion sickness.

Steps

Show the toddler how to cup his/her hands over the eyesbeforefeeling ill, so to see the inside of the car but no motion outside the car.Make sure the toddler keeps the motionfullyout of site, as even a little motion can cause motion sickness. This can also be accomplished with motion sickness eyewear, which blocks motion flashing by outside the car from the field of vision.

Instruct your toddler to focus on an object in the distance.Your toddler can experience motion sickness when they watch nearby objects and landscapes speeding past the window of a train or car.

Point out a mountain, cloud, or building in the far distance that your toddler can watch as your transportation is moving.

Place your toddler in a middle seat that receives the least amount of motion.Depending on where your toddler sits in a moving vehicle or other mode of transportation, they can experience motion sickness as a result of excessive or rough movement.

Place your child in the middle-rear seat of a car or in a front to middle row of a bus instead of in the far rear, where their ride may be bumpier.

Keep your child on the upper-deck of a boat as much as possible, since below-deck locations can trigger motion sickness.

Book airplane seats for your toddler that are located in the middle of the plane and in front of the wings. This location will cause your toddler to experience the least amount of movement, even during turbulence.

Minimize your toddler's physical activity level while traveling.If your toddler is jumping, walking, or running down the aisles of a train, airplane, or boat, their chances of experiencing motion sickness may increase.

Instruct your toddler to sit still in their seat and face forward, with their head resting on a head rest, if possible.

Keep your toddler exposed to cool, fresh air.Exposing your toddler to fresh air can help reduce feelings of nausea, eliminate cold sweats, and help relieve other symptoms of motion sickness in your toddler.

Open the windows in your car, or take your toddler to the top deck of a boat to breathe and experience fresh air.

Allow cool air from air vents to blow gently on your toddler's face if direct exposure to fresh air is not possible. You should also use air vents if the outdoor temperature is too hot to roll down windows, or if you are on a train or airplane.

Interact with your toddler to distract them if you suspect motion sickness.Sometimes, your toddler can redirect their focus from feeling sick, to engaging in a fun, stimulating activity instead.

Perform activities that do not require your toddler to focus on objects inside the car or vehicle; such as singing songs, listening to music, and playing road trip games.

Feed your toddler healthy foods before and during your trip.An empty stomach, or a stomach full of greasy food that is also low in nutrition can often induce motion sickness.

Give your child crackers, fresh fruit, and other healthy snacks that do not contain high levels of sodium or dairy ingredients.

Community Q&A

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Question

What should I do if I'm babysitting a toddler and he feels nauseous?

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Community Answer

Take him into the bathroom or give him a trash can in the event that he vomits. In the meantime, try to get him to sip on some water or eat a few crackers. It would also be a good idea to let the parents know that he isn't feeling well. It might be a common occurrence, so they might have some tips that can help.

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How do I prevent getting sick on a bus trip?

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Community Answer

Motion sickness is normally caused by conflicting neurotransmitters. If you read and you are moving, your eyes think that you are still and you are simply reading, but the fluid in your ears sends a conflicting message, which, in turn, causes nausea and possibly vomiting. The best way to prevent motion sickness is to allow your eyes to harmonize with your ears and simply look out the window. If you have water with you and are feeling nauseous, drink small sips. However, if you feel worse, stop drinking immediately.

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When traveling by car, map out driving routes that allow you to take major highways or interstates, instead of side streets and rural roads. Major highways and interstates are often well-maintained to ensure a smoother ride with fewer bumps.

Travel during times your toddler can nap or sleep. If your toddler is sleeping while traveling, they will most likely not experience motion sickness on the trip.

Warnings

Do not smoke cigarettes near your toddler if they are likely to experience motion sickness, as the smoke can trigger nausea and other motion sickness symptoms at a faster rate.

Do not provide your toddler with medication that prevents motion sickness unless directed to do so by your doctor or health care provider. Some medications may not be ideal for your toddler's overall health.

Video: Operation Ouch - Travel Sickness | Science for Kids

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